To begin with Franklin P. Jones words- “Children are unpredictable. You never know what inconsistency they’re going to catch you in next.” 

        Kids ask this ‘WHY’ question (and many more) every time. Isn’t it? Because for kids happiness is more important than pride. When they get the answer they feel happy. They don’t know the consequences of their actions but just want to give it a try. We teach them and they hear us saying “Don’t do this, that’s wrong”, “Don’t talk like this, that’s bad”, “This is not the right way to express your emotions”.  There seems to be lot of DON’T and NOT in our conversation. Need not to mention that this ‘why’ practice starts somewhere around the age of 2 1/2 or 3 years when they (kids) start going to school. Their first introduction to the outside world is quite exciting. Until now they are safe, secured inside the four walls. Outer world looks so fascinating to the little but curious eyes.

        I am pretty much sure that we all remember the first day of our little one’s school. Sometimes we ourselves don’t know if we are excited or nervous. And it’s absolutely natural. After all our bundle of joys  is no more an infant now and is ready to say HELLO to many new faces as an independent personality.  I remember when my daughter started going to school; many of my experienced friends have said that with school her “WHY” journey has also begun.  Now, I can see it actually happening.  She has lot of questions for everything. 

       We all have learnt in schools that the appropriate word for asking a question is to start it with a –“WHY”. And kids use this every now and then. As long as its related to behavior then we have answers but when it comes to buying something or going somewhere then it gets little tricky. These lines which will give the answer to some extent.

 “Many things can wait; the child cannot. Now is the time their bones are being formed, their mind is being developed. To them we cannot say tomorrow; their name is today.” -Gabriela Mistral

       It’s hard for them to understand and convince themselves the reason for the wait and for us to explain them why they need to wait. But just to make them happy is saying YES for every demand appropriate? I agree patience is very difficult to be taught, especially to kids. Some kids are by nature matured and calm. They understands things easily, visualize situation in a matured manner. But every kid is different. We often tell them to look at other kid who is more patient, matured.  Or ask them to behave nicely saying that others are watching you. Personally, I feel that unknowingly we compare them with others. When every kid has a unique personality then why this comparison? Few days ago someone posted beautiful words on Facebook. It says children are like butterflies and just like no two butterflies are same, every child is different, special and beautiful. Everyone’s of asking questions, showing curiosity is different. We can only teach them to train themselves and find answers on their own. They will be more satisfied this way. We can definitely help them in this process.

       Even as grown-ups, we all feel pride in taking decisions. Kids feel responsible when they are the decision makers. Just for example ask them how they want to celebrate their birthday, or how they want to plan their weekend. And then look how their imagination gains momentum and how they do it with utmost responsibility and interest.  As Kahlil Gibran says “You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.”

       So, respect their WHYs and enjoy them. I know it sounds easy and fun than what actually it is….